chapter 8_ tacheometry

Chapter 8
Tacheometry
Introduction
• Tacheometric is a branch of surveying in which horizontal and vertical
distances are determined by taking angular observation with an
instrument known as a tachometer.
• Tacheometric surveying is adopted in rough in rough and difficult
terrain where direct leveling and chaining are either not possible or
very tedious.
• Though not very accurate. Tacheometric surveying is very rapid, and a
reasonable contour map can be prepared for investigation works
within a short time on the basis of such survey.
Uses of Tachometry
• preparation of topographic map where both horizontal and vertical
distances are required to be measured;
• survey work in difficult terrain where direct methods of measurements
are inconvenient;
• reconnaissance survey for highways and railways etc; Establishment
of secondary control points.
Instruments used
A)Tacheometer
B)level staff or Stadia Rod
A) Tacheometer:
A tacheometer is a transit theodolite having a telescope fitted with a stadia
diagram, i.e. a telescope equipped with two horizontal hairs called stadia
hairs in addition to the usual central hair such that top, middle and bottom
hair staff readings can be taken.
Fig: types of diaphragm

B)Level staff or stadia
rod An ordinary levelling staff can be used if the sights are
short but in tacheometry since the sights are usually of
much greater length, therefore, an ordinary levelling staff
cannot serve the purpose. But a specially designed
graduated rod known as stadia rod is used.
The stadia rod is transport, it may be folding or telescopic.
Fig: level staff
It is 3 to 4m long and 5cm to 15 cm wide. The graduations
are bold and clear with a least count usually less than the
least count of an ordinary levelling staff, the stadia rods
should be as light as possible.
Use : to sight three staff reading corresponding to the Top, Middle
and Bottom hairs in Diaphgram from tacheometer.
Principle of tacheometry
Methods of Tacheometry or
System of Measurement
(i) Stadia system
a) fixed hair method
b) movable hair Method
(ii) Non stadia system
a) Tangential Method
b) Subtence bar Method
1. Stadia Hair Method
• In this method three staff readings coincided by three stadia hairs
top, middle and bottom with are taken from tacheometer.
a) Fixed hair method
In this method, three hairs in diaphgram are fixed but the
coressponding staff readings i.e. staff intercept equals to top reading
minus bottom reading , varries according to the distance between staff
point and tacheometer.
Fast and easy method and mostly used.
b)Movable Hair method
• In this method first staaff reading is fixed to whole number and hairs
in telescope are moved to coincide corresponding staff reading.
Stadia interval then measured in telescope and horizonatal distance
and vertical distance are calculated using hair interval and staff
intercept with help of standard provision.
• Most tedious and time-consuming method, so not in used.
2. Tangential Method
In this method, readings at two different points on a staff are taken against
the horizontal cross hair and corresponding vertical angles are noted.
• Time consuming and Tedious Method.
3. Subtense Bar Method
In this method, a bar of fixed length, called a subtense bar is placed in
horizontal position. The angle subtended by two target points, corresponding
to a fixed distance on the subtense bar, at the instrument station is measured.
The horizontal distance between the subtense bar and the instrument is
computed from the known distance between the targets and the measured
horizontal angle.
• This method is used in highly undulated or broken area.
Fixed hair measurement
The possible cases of measurement in stadia hair method .
Case a: line of sight is horizontal and staff is vertical
Case b: line of sight is inclined and staff is vertical
Case c: line of sight is inclined and staff is normal to line of sight
Case a : line of sight horizontal and staff is
vertical
v u
B
Vertical axis
i = stadia interval S= staff intercept = T - B

Fig: field observation
RL of P = RL of BM + staff reading on BM - h
(f/i) S + ( f +d) (K S +C)
D = (K S + C )
Tacheometric Formula Where K = multiplying constant = s/i
C = additive constant = (f + d)
Case b: line of sight inclined but staff is held
vertical
Since angle 2x α is very small 17’ 11” for k = 100
The angle α can be neglected. (90 +α )
So triangle O’BA’ and O’BC’ are right angle triangle.
A’B = AB cosθ = S/2 cosθ (90-α) θ

BC’ = BC cosθ = S/2 cosθ
A’C’= A’B + BC’= S cosθ
(90-θ)
From tacheometry formula θ
L = KA’C’ + C
= (K S cosθ + C)
From figure
D = L cosθ
Similarly
V= L sinθ
RL of P = RL of O + HI ± V - h + for elevation, - for depression

Case c : inclined line of sight but staf is held
normal to line of sight
From tacheometric formula
L= K A’C’ + C
=KS+C
From figure
D = L Cosθ + h Sinθ
D = (K S + C ) Cosθ + h Sinθ
Similarly
V = L Sinθ
V = (K S + C ) Sinθ
Now,
RL of P = RL of O + HI +V – h Cosθ
S
From figure
D = L Cosθ - h Sinθ
D = (K S + C ) Cosθ - h Sinθ
Similarly
V = L Sinθ
V = (K S + C ) Sinθ
Now,
RL of P = RL of O + HI - V – h Cosθ
Tangential Method
Case a : When both the observed angles Case b :When both the observed angles Case c: When one of the observed
are angles of elevation are angles of depression angle is the angle of elevation and the
other an angle of depression
Subtense Bar Method
• A subtense bar is a horizontal staff with targets fixed at a known distance
apart. It is about 4m long having a small spirit level and a quick levelling
head.
• A sight rule, provided at its center, can be placed along the line of sight by
viewing the telescope of the theodolite thought the vanes. The bar is
mounted on a tripod and is placed at right angles to the line of sight for
making observations. After levelling and aligning, it is clamped by means
of clamp screw.
• The targets, made of discs of about 20 cm diameter are painted red on
one side, and white on the other. The centers of body the sides of the
targets are painted black in 7.5 cm diameter. The targets are placed at a
distance of 2.5 m and 3 m. When the targets are placed 2.5 m apart, the
white faces are to face the instrument and when they are placed 3m
apart, the red faces face the instrument.
Angle θ is
Measured by
Repetition method
Fig: measurement theodolite at one station and subtense

Fig: instrument bar at other station
Height of subtense bar
To measure the RL of Subtense Bar Point

-measure vertical angle (α)
Then
Vertical distance ( V) = D tanα
RL of point = RL of theodolite station + HI ± V–

height of subtense bar
Where,
+ for elevated angle
- for depressed angle
Anallatic Lens
An additional convex lens, called an anallatic lens, is provided in the external focussing
telescope between the eye - piece and the object glass at a fixed distance from the
later, to eliminate the additive constant, (f+d), from the distance formula.
K = 100
C=0
The disadvantage of the anallatic a lens is the

reduction in brilliancy of the image due to
increase observation of light.
Advantage : easy and fast

calculation
Determination of constant k and C
Errors in Stadia Surveying
The sources of errors in stadia measurements are as follows:
1. Instrumental Errors.
2. Personal Errors.
3. Natural Errors.
Instrumental Errors
(i) Imperfect adjustment of the tacheometer:
This error can be eliminated by carefully adjusting the instrument, particularly
the altitude bubble.
(ii) Incorrect divisions on the stadia rod:
In ordinary work, this error is negligible but for precise work, the error can be
minimized by using the standardized rod and applying corrections for incorrect
length to the observed stadia intervals.
(iii) Incorrect value of the multiplying constant (f/i):
This is the most serious source of error. The value of the multiplying constant
should be tested before commencing the work by comparing the stadia distances
with measured distances during the hours which correspond to those of field-
observations.
Personal Errors:
(i)Inaccurate centering and levelling of the instrument.
(ii)Non-vertical by of the staff or rod. It may be eliminated by using a
plumb-line or a small circular spirit level with the staff.
(iii) Inaccurate Focusing.
(iv) Reading with wrong hair.
The personal errors can be eliminated by applying habitual checks.

Natural Errors:
(i) High wind:
The work should be suspended in high wind.
(ii) Unequal refractions:
This error is prominent during bright sunshine and mid-day hours of hot
summer days. The work can be suspended under such circumstances.
(iii) Unequal expansion:
The instrument should be protected by an umbrella during hot sun.
(iv) Bad visibility:
It is caused by glaring of strong light coming from the wrong direction.
Degree of Accuracy
• The error in a single horizontal distance should not exceed 1 in 500,
and in a single vertical distance 0.1 m.
• Average error in distance varies from the 1 m 600 to 1 in 850.
• Error of closure in elevation varies from 0.08 √km to 0.25 √km where
km = distance in km. error of closure in a stadia traverse should not
exceed 0.055 √P metres, where P = perimeter of the traverse in
metres.

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Chapter 8

Fig: types of diaphragm

i = stadia interval S= staff intercept = T - B

(f/i) S + ( f +d) (K S +C)

A’B = AB cosθ = S/2 cosθ (90-α) θ

RL of P = RL of O + HI ± V - h + for elevation, - for depression

Fig: measurement theodolite at one station and subtense

To measure the RL of Subtense Bar Point

RL of point = RL of theodolite station + HI ± V–

The disadvantage of the anallatic a lens is the

Advantage : easy and fast

The personal errors can be eliminated by applying habitual checks.

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